Finding Your Authentic Self:

A Conversation with Life Coach JaWand Morris

When it comes to making big leaps in life, whether starting a business, setting boundaries, or simply saying yes to yourself, the biggest obstacle often isn't external circumstances. It's the voice inside your head telling you that you can't, shouldn't, or aren't ready.

I recently sat down with certified life coach Jawand Morris to talk about what holds women back from living authentically and how to overcome those barriers. What struck me most about our conversation was how much her work parallels what I see with boudoir photography clients: women who know they want something more but need support to take that leap.

From Corporate to Coaching: An Unexpected Journey

While working as a director of leadership development at MidSouth Bank in 2017, her boss asked if she wanted to attend coaching school. "I was like, sure," she laughs. The bank wanted an internal coach, and though Jawan had always wanted to do something similar, she hadn't known exactly what or how to get there.

After about a year of internal coaching, she got laid off, an experience that would repeat itself and eventually force her hand into full-time entrepreneurship. "The universe said you have these skills, let's do it," she reflects. About three years ago, she committed fully to her coaching practice, and she hasn't looked back since.

The Universal Challenge: Believing in Yourself

When I asked Jawand what brings most clients to her, her answer was immediate: fear. "They're afraid to even trust or believe in themselves," she explained. "That's part of my process too, helping them believe in themselves."

This resonated deeply with me. I started focusing on boudoir photography in 2011, but it wasn't until 2018 that I finally committed to it as a business. What held me back for seven years? Not lack of clients or skills, it was my own lack of confidence and inability to trust myself: FEAR.

Jawand has been there too, especially when it comes to financial security. "The biggest thing was the money issue," she admits. "I didn't know how I was going to make money. But now that I have an understanding of what I'm doing and believing in my abilities and my skills, it's like, oh, I can do this."

Women Share a Common Struggle

Here's something interesting that came up in our conversation. Many of Jawand's clients wanted someone to give them permission to pursue what they already know they want.

This pattern shows up in my boudoir work too. Women often call saying they want to do a shoot "for their husband," but based on our conversations, we quickly realize they want it for themselves. They just need that external validation because it's easier than validating a big spend or risk for ourselves.

"When you're saying yes to yourself, you're living in your authentic self," Jawand explains. "A lot of them are afraid because there are all these beliefs stuck in them."

Both coaching clients and boudoir clients are looking for the same thing: to break out of the box society has put them in, stand in their power, and say yes to themselves. . The stories we've been told about how we should look, what success means, and what path we should follow. These limiting beliefs keep us from saying, "Hey, hold on, I don't really like that. This is what I like, let me do this."

Whether that's through working with a nurturing life coach or a sassy photographer making them get in front of the camera, the end goal is the same, embracing that power within to find joy, happiness, and fulfillment.

Creating Safe Spaces to Be Seen and Heard

What resonates most with Jawand in her work? "Being able to be their most authentic selves," she says without hesitation. "I want to make sure people are seen and heard. Because a lot of people aren't seen, and they aren't heard."

In 2025, it feels like the space where people feel accepted and safe to be authentic is shrinking. That's why the work of coaches like Jawand, eho are creating judgment-free zones where women can tell their stories, curse if they need to, and express themselves fully is so vital.

"I always tell my clients when they come in, they'll start cursing and say 'Oh, I'm sorry.' I'm like, 'No, do not feel sorry. Cause. I don't care. Tell your story,'" she shares. "A lot of them are afraid to tell the story because they don't want to be judged."

The Difference Between Coaching vs. Therapy

One question that often comes up: What's the difference between a coach and a therapist?

Jawand's answer is clear: "A coach mostly works in the present and future. Not the past, not talking about your family or childhood." While beliefs and where they come from might be discussed, the focus is on moving forward from point A (where you are now) to point B (where you want to be).

The work involves identifying mental blocks, understanding limiting beliefs, and holding up a mirror through questions rather than providing answers. "They already know," Jawand explains. "But they just want validation."

Getting Started with Coaching

For anyone interested in working with Jawand, the first step is a free discovery clarity call. This conversation helps both parties determine if they're a good fit, understand what goals the client wants to achieve, and get a sense of each other's energy and vibe.

From there, Jawand offers programs like her "Radiant and Resilient" framework, which addresses mental blocks, self-doubt, limiting beliefs, validation needs, and victim mentality. But she's quick to note that most sessions evolve based on what the client needs that day.

"We start off with your goals, but if something happened that day and you need to talk about that to move forward, we do that," she says. "It really is up to the client."

Connect with Jawand Morris:

Instagram: @JawanMorrisCoaching

Facebook: @JawanMorrisCoaching

Email: jawand@jmorriscoaching.com

Website: www.jawandmorriscoaching.com